KALAMAZOO, MI -- The sweet, smoky scents emanating from the Arcadia Creek Festival Place can mean only one thing -- Ribfest weekend is here.

Community Advocates Ribfest started at 11 a.m. today and runs through Saturday night in downtown Kalamazoo.

At 8 tonight, a panel including Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive entertainment reporter John Liberty will judge the Best Ribs in Kalamazoo competition. The winner will get the right to
purchase a booth at the event for a one-year presentation of their
ribs at Ribfest.

The Kalamazoo Cook-off runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, with teams and individuals of both amateurs and professionals competing for honors in Ribs
Cook-off. Southwest Michigan Culinary
Association Federation chefs will be among the judges.

At 4 p.m. Saturday, another panel of judges will take part in the Sponsor's
Choice competition, choosing their favorites from among ribs provided by eight Ribfest vendors in a blind taste test.

Throughout
all three days of the event people can vote for their favorite ribs.
The People's Choice will be awarded Saturday night.

Musicians
will also be getting in their licks throughout the weekend. Among the
headliners will be rockers Skid Row on Friday night and country music artist Travis
Tritt on Saturday night.

Ribfest benefits Community Advocates and its programs to
improve the quality of life for individuals with developmental
disabilities.

If you go

27th annual Taste of Kalamazoo

What: Annual celebration of local food, beverages and music
When: 11 a.m.-12:30 a.m. Thursday, July 26; 11 a.m.-1:30 a.m. Friday-Saturday, July 27-28
Where: Arcadia Creek Festival Place, downtown Kalamazoo
Cost: Admission is free each day until 4 p.m.. It's $3 from 4-7 p.m. and $6 after 7 p.m. on Thursday; $5 after 4 p.m. and $8 after 7 p.m. on Friday and $5 after 4 p.m. and $8 after 5 p.m. on Saturday. Children ages 12 and younger are free.
Contact: